U.S. Senator, Minnesota Governor. Moving with his parents to a farm in Northfield, Minnesota, he engaged in agricultural pursuits. During World War I, he served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps overseas. After the war, he graduated from the University of Minnesota and worked at the Deere and Weber Company (1920 to 1922). He then became the owner of a dairy farm in Northfield. He was president of the Dakota County Farm Bureau (1929 to 1931), director of the Twin City Milk Producers Association (1933), and appraiser of Minnesota Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture (1933 to 1934). Entering politics, he was elected as a Republican, the 31st Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota, serving (1942 to 1943). In 1943, when Governor Harold Stassen resigned from office, Thye assumed the post as the 26th Governor of Minnesota, serving until 1947. During his administration, a human rights commission was created, highway construction was advanced, a department of aeronautics was initiated, an iron range rehabilitation commission was formed, and a postwar planning commission. After leaving office, he was elected as a Republican to the U.S. Senate (1947 to 1959). After his term, he remained active in civic affairs and resumed his dairy interests until his death.
U.S. Senator, Minnesota Governor. Moving with his parents to a farm in Northfield, Minnesota, he engaged in agricultural pursuits. During World War I, he served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps overseas. After the war, he graduated from the University of Minnesota and worked at the Deere and Weber Company (1920 to 1922). He then became the owner of a dairy farm in Northfield. He was president of the Dakota County Farm Bureau (1929 to 1931), director of the Twin City Milk Producers Association (1933), and appraiser of Minnesota Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture (1933 to 1934). Entering politics, he was elected as a Republican, the 31st Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota, serving (1942 to 1943). In 1943, when Governor Harold Stassen resigned from office, Thye assumed the post as the 26th Governor of Minnesota, serving until 1947. During his administration, a human rights commission was created, highway construction was advanced, a department of aeronautics was initiated, an iron range rehabilitation commission was formed, and a postwar planning commission. After leaving office, he was elected as a Republican to the U.S. Senate (1947 to 1959). After his term, he remained active in civic affairs and resumed his dairy interests until his death.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
